2005 - Corazon S. Dela Paz

Corazon S. Dela Paz, Class 1956

Life Achievement Award

Corazon Santos Dela Paz is no stranger to being first in many things. She was the first woman to be admitted as a Partner of Price Waterhouse International in 1973, and the first woman to be named Senior Partner and Chair of Joaquin Cunanan & Co. (now Price Waterhouse Coopers – Philippines) in 1981. In its 47 years of history, she is also the first woman to be appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Social Security System in August, 2001. On the international arena, she was the first Asian and also the first woman to become President of the International Social Security Association (ISSA). Closer to home, she was elected as the first regular President of the Rizal High School Alumni Association, Inc. In 1989.

She has served as President of many professional organizations, including the Management Association of the Philippines, Financial Executives Association of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Cornell Club of the Philippines, and the Philippine Fulbright Scholars Association. In 1995, she was elevated to the PICPA Accountancy may of Fame, and was hailed as The Outstanding Filipino in Public Accounting in 2000. She has received many more awards and commendations in her professional career, a testament to her many achievements.

Ms. Dela Paz graduated from the Rizal High School in 1956 and proceeded to study Business Administration at the University of the East, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She placed first in the 1960 Philippine board examination for Certified Public Accountants. She earned her Masters in Business Administration degree from Cornell University as a Fulbright and University of the East scholar. She hails from Pateros Rizal (now Metro Manila) and is the widow of the late Wenceslao Dela Paz, who was Chair of the National Power Corporation and Presidential Adviser on Energy Affairs until 1992.

Ms. Corazon Santos Dela Paz is being honored with the TEODORA Life Achievement Award as she exemplifies the ideals of Teodora Alonzo and Jose Rizal by living a life dedicated to excellence and leadership, selfless service to her family, to our Alma Mater the Rizal High School, to the Rizal High School Alumni Association, Inc., to the society and the country. We recognize her achievements that make her worthy of emulation as a role model not only for our fellow alumni, but for the rest of the society as well.

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